CodePink Activists Disrupted House Hearing on Foreign Influence
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of CodePink, along with two other activists, entered a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing today. They wore eye-catching T-shirts that displayed support for Iran and Cuba, effectively turning their presence into a live critique of the foreign influence the committee was addressing.
About half an hour into the hearing, Benjamin took pictures of their slogans against the backdrop of a TV screen displaying the witnesses. After several complaints from staffers on the subcommittee, Capitol Police removed Benjamin and her associates from the room after they protested the ejection.
This event highlighted for lawmakers the connection between theatrical protests, social media messaging, and foreign influence tactics. Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga remarked that the performance was more about theatrics than real policy impact, as the group aimed to leverage social media for donations and support.
Focus on Foreign Malign Influence
The hearing, titled “Trojan Horses: Covert Foreign Malign Influence Operations in America,” examined a network of organizations allegedly promoting foreign agendas. One key figure discussed was Neville Roy Singham, a Shanghai-based tech entrepreneur accused of funneling millions into groups that disseminate anti-American, pro-China narratives, including CodePink, which has reportedly received over $1 million from him.
Outside the hearing, Benjamin sidestepped queries about Singham’s funding, instead opting to enter the room and take up a prime position behind the witnesses.
Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, quickly confronted Benjamin, urging her to stop promoting what he termed a “communist tyranny.” Benjamin defended her stance, labeling herself as “anti-war” and denying any connections to Chinese directives.
Warnings from Testimonies
Chairman Huizenga focused directly on individuals and organizations, like Singham and CodePink, that he believes are connected to foreign adversaries trying to sway public opinion. He pointed out a coordinated effort by countries like China, Cuba, and Iran to undermine the U.S.
Witnesses like Gonzalez detailed networks and connections in pro-communist organizing, emphasizing that these groups utilize funding routes to channel money into protests and political messaging. His insights included details on how organizations like BreakThrough News amplify narratives supporting foreign interests.
While both Singham and CodePink have denied any direct instructions from the Chinese government, accusations of financial ties persist. No legal actions have been taken against Singham or related groups so far.
Sam Lyman, from the Bitcoin Policy Institute, described a complex web of influence involving Chinese media, Singham-supported nonprofits, and tightly-knit activist organizations. His findings suggest profound effects on policies regarding data centers and AI infrastructure, with evidence of campaigns driven by the Party for Socialism and Liberation significantly impacting American projects.
Responses from Lawmakers
Democratic representatives invited Donald Sherman from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, who presented a differing perspective by critiquing former President Trump over his business dealings overseas.
After brief interruptions, Benjamin and her colleagues faced removal as their T-shirts became a focal point of disruption. Despite their claims of exercising free speech, lawmakers debated the appropriateness of their presence.
After being asked to leave, Benjamin continued the performance outside, even capturing a moment chasing Rep. Randy Fine, a vocal critic of their movement. The situation played out like a staged media event, as she recorded her thoughts on the hearing while maintaining her activist image.
Later, CodePink shared an edited video of the day’s events, aiming to use the confrontation to further their social media reach. Activists from the Singham network promptly circulated the video across platforms.
